The British Council and Rolls-Royce have teamed up to launch ‘The Big Science Challenge’, a competition aimed at secondary schools across UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Jordan and UK, which will run till February 3.

The challenge invites students aged 11 to 16 in the Middle East and UK to research and design an original, innovative solution to a problem concerning water, either locally, nationally or globally, a statement from the organisation said.

Entries will be judged at a national level by a panel of experts, and the winning teams from each Middle Eastern country will be awarded a visit to London for a week-long programme of cultural exchange and educational activities. In addition, students will get a unique insight into real-life research and engineering processes during a visit to one of the biggest Rolls-Royce centres in the UK.

Students from one winning school in the UK will win a five-day visit to Dubai to experience life in one of the most dynamic, iconic Middle Eastern cities.

The Ministry of Education in the UAE expressed its strong support for the initiative, the statement said.

Over 3000 schools are being invited to participate across the Middle East and UK.  All entrants will be encouraged to collaborate with students in other participating countries to share ideas and exchange information, emulating how international scientific co-operation and discovery works in practice.

Patrick Brazier, regional director, Mena, British Council, said: “The British Council is delighted to be working with Rolls-Royce, one of the world’s most respected and innovative companies. As a pioneer in the field of research and development, we feel that Rolls-Royce is an ideal company for a young aspiring scientist.

“Water is the focus of the initiative as it is a critical resource for everyone around the world and today’s young people – the scientists of the future – have a big role to play in its preservation. The Big Science Challenge will bring young people from the Middle East and the UK together to address real challenges facing our global society and develop the skills they need for work in a global economy,” he said.

Rob Watson, Middle East Regional Director for Rolls-Royce, said: “‘We are pleased to be working with the British Council, a name long associated with cultural exchange and engagement with youth, offering opportunity for growth and development.”

“By focusing on one of the world’s biggest issues, the challenge gives young people a true taste of what real scientists are working on and allows them to put their own scientific research and technological skills into practice. With most of the region’s population under the age of 30, it is imperative that we do what we can to support public programmes for training and skills development. There is a shortage of engineers and it is important to address this for the next generation through the region’s youth,” Watson added. – TradeArabia News Service